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Shoreham air crash death toll 'rises to 11' | Shoreham air crash death toll 'rises to 11' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Eleven people are now thought to have died after a plane crashed into a West Sussex main road during an air show, police have said. | Eleven people are now thought to have died after a plane crashed into a West Sussex main road during an air show, police have said. |
This figure could rise further as police continue their investigation, Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police Steve Barry added. | This figure could rise further as police continue their investigation, Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police Steve Barry added. |
The vintage jet plummeted into traffic on the A27 on Saturday after attempting a loop manoeuvre. | The vintage jet plummeted into traffic on the A27 on Saturday after attempting a loop manoeuvre. |
Some victims of the accident have been named by their families. | Some victims of the accident have been named by their families. |
The number of deaths was initially given as seven, but ACC Barry said it was now "highly likely" that 11 had died. A further 14 people were injured in the crash. | The number of deaths was initially given as seven, but ACC Barry said it was now "highly likely" that 11 had died. A further 14 people were injured in the crash. |
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the aviation regulator, said it would be examining the circumstances of the crash to see whether improvements could be made to current safety requirements. | |
Victims who have been named by their families include Matt Jones, 24, and Worthing United FC footballer Matthew Grimstone, 23. | Victims who have been named by their families include Matt Jones, 24, and Worthing United FC footballer Matthew Grimstone, 23. |
Another Worthing United footballer, Jacob Schilt, 23, is also believed to be among the victims, his club said. | Another Worthing United footballer, Jacob Schilt, 23, is also believed to be among the victims, his club said. |
In a statement, Worthing United FC said Mr Grimstone was their first team goalkeeper and "a brilliant player with huge potential". | In a statement, Worthing United FC said Mr Grimstone was their first team goalkeeper and "a brilliant player with huge potential". |
And Mr Schilt was a "tenacious midfielder, a skilful player, with an eye for goal", the club added. | And Mr Schilt was a "tenacious midfielder, a skilful player, with an eye for goal", the club added. |
Sussex Police said no-one on the airfield was injured but the pilot - named locally as former RAF pilot Andy Hill - remained in a critical condition in hospital, having been pulled from the burning wreckage. | Sussex Police said no-one on the airfield was injured but the pilot - named locally as former RAF pilot Andy Hill - remained in a critical condition in hospital, having been pulled from the burning wreckage. |
Whether the pilot activated his ejector seat was yet to be determined, ACC Barry said. | Whether the pilot activated his ejector seat was yet to be determined, ACC Barry said. |
He said the removal of victims' bodies was likely to continue throughout Monday, and it was "quite possible" more would be discovered. | He said the removal of victims' bodies was likely to continue throughout Monday, and it was "quite possible" more would be discovered. |
ACC Barry said a crane would be brought in to lift the wreckage of the aircraft on Monday, and that the crash site was spread over 400 yards of the A27. | ACC Barry said a crane would be brought in to lift the wreckage of the aircraft on Monday, and that the crash site was spread over 400 yards of the A27. |
The site remains hazardous, and fuel is still on the plane, police confirmed. | The site remains hazardous, and fuel is still on the plane, police confirmed. |
The CAA said it would be assisting the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which is continuing to investigate the scene alongside the police. | |
In a statement the CAA said safety standards for major civil air displays in the UK were regularly reviewed and were among the highest in the world. | |
It said: "Events of this nature are very rare, but we will now thoroughly examine the circumstances to establish if further improvements can be made. | |
"We immediately commenced our review processes and remain committed to continuously enhancing the safety of all civil aviation and will provide further updates in the days to come." | |
In a video released by Sussex Police, ACC Barry later described the crash as "devastating". | In a video released by Sussex Police, ACC Barry later described the crash as "devastating". |
He said: "I've certainly not seen anything like this in my career in terms of the scale, the tragedy and the impact that this is going to have on the local community. | He said: "I've certainly not seen anything like this in my career in terms of the scale, the tragedy and the impact that this is going to have on the local community. |
"We are entering the recovery phase of the operation and as we do that we are likely to uncover more fatalities but we are putting in a huge amount of effort in supporting the families and helping them to understand what has happened." | "We are entering the recovery phase of the operation and as we do that we are likely to uncover more fatalities but we are putting in a huge amount of effort in supporting the families and helping them to understand what has happened." |
He appealed to drivers to avoid the area, saying the A27, which was badly damaged during the crash, would be closed for at least another two days. | He appealed to drivers to avoid the area, saying the A27, which was badly damaged during the crash, would be closed for at least another two days. |
The crash happened at 13:20 BST on Saturday as the Hawker Hunter jet came out of a loop manoeuvre. | The crash happened at 13:20 BST on Saturday as the Hawker Hunter jet came out of a loop manoeuvre. |
It then smashed into the A27, sending a fireball across the carriageway. | It then smashed into the A27, sending a fireball across the carriageway. |
Neil McCarthy, a friend of pilot Andy Hill, told the BBC News Channel that the loop manoeuvre was regarded as "one of the most dangerous" to attempt. | Neil McCarthy, a friend of pilot Andy Hill, told the BBC News Channel that the loop manoeuvre was regarded as "one of the most dangerous" to attempt. |
He said: "If you don't have the right entry speed, the right pull back on the stick, the G-force, the right gate height at the top of the loop manoeuvre, it can go wrong pretty quick". | He said: "If you don't have the right entry speed, the right pull back on the stick, the G-force, the right gate height at the top of the loop manoeuvre, it can go wrong pretty quick". |
Captain Mike Vivian, former chief flight operations inspector for the CAA, told the BBC "lessons would be learned" from the tragedy. | |
"In any accident like this where there is tragedy, it's right to review it in detail," he said. | "In any accident like this where there is tragedy, it's right to review it in detail," he said. |
Police have urged people to think twice before posting "extremely graphic" images of the crash online. |